Mapping and Measuring Trees in St. Michael School
This project focuses on indigenous and non-indigenous trees, mapping them with GLOBE Observer App
Where are we located?
Our school is located in an urban area in the main island of Malta. The school is surrounded with buildings, a busy road, a petrol station and various industrial entities.
Note how the school surroundings consists mainly of a built-up area
Indigenous Trees in the school premises
The Indigenous Trees in the school premises
Non-Indigenous Trees in the school premises
The Non-Indigenous Trees in school premises
Measuring Tree Height Screenshots from GLOBE OBSERVER APP
Students using the GLOBE OBSERVER APP for mapping trees and taking trunk circumference
What is the climate of the Mediterranean Region? And what about the Maltese Islands?
The Mediterranean climate is generally hot and dry in summer with mild/cool and wet winters. Unfortunately, the Mediterranean region, especially Malta, is experiencing a change in rainfall behaviour. The average rainfall in Malta is 550 mm. Last year we conducted a research and noticed that in recent years there was a drastic decline in the total annual rainfall in the Maltese Islands. Moreover, we noticed an increase in temperature compared with previous years. GLOBE students interviewed a local meteorologists to understand the reasons for these climatic changes.
Interview with Mr Andrea Muscat, a local meteorologist.
Rainfall data from GLOBE investigation 2020
Example of graph of last year
Rainfall observations from 1st September 2020 till present
This year, although wetter when compared with 2020, is still relatively dry as the rainfall annual total has not yet reached the average. Once again, February has been the driest month resulting from extensive period of high pressure system. The graph and link shows rainfall readings recorded at school.
Example of graph this year
